More than $3.7 million announced in new municipal funding

The provincial government has announced more than $3.7 million in new municipal funding in Placentia and surrounding areas.

The money comes from the 2012-14 Multi-Year Capital Works Program and the 2012 Municipal Capital Works Program.

The total investment in municipal infrastructure, including a contribution by the municipalities of Placentia, Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights, St. Bride’s, St. Mary’s and Whitbourne, is more than $4.4 million.

In addition, funding has been allocated through the Provincial Firefighting Equipment Financial Assistance Program for the fire departments of Fox Harbour and St. Bride’s.

“This investment will provide for important upgrades to municipal infrastructure such as water, roads and firefighting equipment,” Municipal Affairs Minister Kevin O’Brien said in a news release. “We are committed to having strong and vibrant towns in Newfoundland and Labrador and we are pleased to provide funding for these projects.”

The Town of Placentia will receive $1.5 million to complete water hook up from Freshwater to Jerseyside, pave a number of municipal streets and clean up an oil spill in Clark’s Pond.

Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights will replace a waterline, while Whitbourne will upgrade the Main Street water line. St. Bride’s will use the funding for Phase 1 for water system improvements and St. Mary’s will replace a sanitary sewer outfall. Funding is cost-shared based on population, with the provincial government providing 80 per cent of the total project cost for Placentia and 90 per cent of the total cost for Long Harbour-Mount Arlington, St. Bride’s, St. Mary’s and Whitbourne.

 Fire department funding is administered by Fire and Emergency Services- Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL).

The Fox Harbour fire department has received approval to purchase more than $23,000 in firefighting equipment including seven bunker suits, gloves and boots, and two self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs). The fire department in St. Bride’s will also receive two new SCBAs, valued at more than $10,000.

Fire departments successful in receiving funding have applied for the program with the support of their municipal council and have committed to cover their portion of the equipment through the established cost share ratios.

 “This investment reflects government’s ongoing commitment to funding the infrastructure needs of the area,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Felix Collins, the MHA for Placentia-St. Mary’s. “In the past three years over $6 million has been allocation to municipal infrastructure projects in this area,” he said. “On behalf of the residents of these municipalities, I want to extend my appreciation to the government for its support.”

The 2012 provincial budget included $130 million over two years for municipal capital works projects. Since 2008, the province has invested more than $500 million in municipal capital works projects.